Waikato River Trails, New Zealand

Home to two cycling trails that are part of the 18 Great Rides on The New Zealand Cycle Trail, the Hamilton Waikato is a great place to hop on a bike.

Hamilton City River Paths, Hamilton - Waikato

By Hamilton & Waikato Tourism

Waikato River Trails, Hamilton - Waikato

By Hamilton & Waikato Tourism

Biking Rail Trail, New Zealand

By Hamilton & Waikato Tourism

Mt Te Aroha, Hamilton - Waikato

By Hamilton & Waikato Tourism

The Waikato River Trails extend 100km along the ‘Mighty Waikato’, New Zealand’s longest river. An off-road mountain biking experience, the trails wind through the heart of the Waikato region and range from grades 2-4. In addition to this ride, the area’s timber logging history is showcased in The Timber Trail, a 77km off-road experience that winds through 800-year-old trees and historic milling sites. The region is also full of quiet country lanes if you’re after a bit of scenic road cycling.

Mountain bikers can also head for the lower slopes of Mt Te Aroha, the Cougar Park trail near Tokoroa or Pureora Forest Park. Increasingly, farms in the area are also opening up for bike trekking, such as around Raglan.